“The men who are great live with that which is substantial, they do not stay with that which is superficial. They abide with realities, they remain not with what is showy. The one they discard, the other they hold.” ~ Lao Tzu
Every day the universe provides us an opportunity to sit, to listen, and to accept what is true in us today, here and now. In this stillness, we recognize what is abiding in our lives; where we choose to offer our energy in order to fulfill our dutiful roles and satiate the longings in our souls.
Many of us desire greater freedom in our lives – a need for more time and space for spiritual practice, family connection, community involvement, or creative expression. There is an urge to make changes in our lives to fulfill this need, and so we remember that change is always constant. It’s always there. There is no need to drastically shift that which is already in motion. Instead, focus on gaining clarity on what we are abiding in the moment, what matters most to us right now, what elements of our life we wish to retain, and what might support and give form to the changes that will inevitably come to pass.
Understanding what we value and why we abide it, brings light unto our true passions. And, when our true passions are revealed, we gain the sense of freedom we seek. It’s a process that happens within, and will eventually guide the ever-changing world without.
In many senses, life is a labyrinth. It’s a process of walking many paths, making many choices and following many roads that sometimes seem to lead us nowhere at all. But, every step we travel is purposeful, even when we meet an end. Endings are, in fact, a powerful place. They provide us time to stop, to reflect and to remember what is abiding and authentic in our lives. Every ending is an opportunity to retrace our steps, and to focus again on what is meaningful. Each time we arrive at another end, we turn around with more clarity, certainty and honesty than ever before.